Shoe device



lNVENTOR MAX YAN OV M. YANOVER r`SHOE DEVICE s oct. 27 1936.

Filed Nov; 5, 1955 Patented Oct. 27, 1936 UETE STTES PATENT OFFICE 10 Claims.

It is, of course, realized by all that Whenever l shoes have been in use and worn for any considerable time period the shoes frequently become stretched or somewhat deformed in shape, with the result that the usual neat and trim appearance is lacking and, at the same time, the foot is not provided with proper support by the shoe. Also, when shoes are first purchased they do not always conform strictly to the shape of the purchasers foot. For example, new shoes are frequently tight in the toes or stiff in the toes, or the toe is found to have been built too low, or perhaps the shoe cuts the instep even though the shoe as to its length and width is of correct size for the wearer. The result is that there is a moderate amount of reshaping or stretching of the shoe required to provide for the Wearers comfort. This work is done frequently by the sales clerk, or in a so-called repair department where elaborate and expensive shoe machinery is not available and simplified and easily operated shoe devices are necessary.

Such difficulties, and lack of complete foot comfort for each and every individual cannot easily be taken care of or foreseen by the shoe manufacturers because the shoe, when manufactured, is built over a last which is designed as closely as possible to meet the average requirements, but, obviously, unless shoes are specially built for individual wearers, the general shape lasts may not be of a shape suitable to conform to each and every individual foot, with the result that the shoes will not provide the proper degree of comfort for the wearer without slight reshaping. In order to overcome these difficulties, and at the same time, maintain the desired trim and neat appearance of shoes, as well as to provide the utmost comfort for the wearer, it is an object of this invention to provide a simple and conveniently operated hand tool with which to reblock, reshape, stretch, iron or otherwise modify the general form and structure of a shoe.

It is a known fact that leather cannot be conveniently altered and permanently changed from its general shape and pattern, as formed by manufacturing processes, in the absence of some suitable heat treatment during any reblocking, reshaping, stretching or pressing process. Therefore, it is also an object of this invention to provide with the hand tool with which this invention is concerned, a suitable meansfor heating the leather of the shoe during the various time periods over which the above suggested and other related operations are being carried forward.

It is a further object of this invention to overcome the general drawbacks common in connection with all known types of heating instrumentalities usually provided in the shoe industry Where the heating processes are carried on either at too low a temperature to be useful or at such a high temperature as to burn or scorch the shoe leather. Therefore, by this invention suitable ways and means for controlling and selecting different degrees of heat have been suggested and provided.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide an easily operated hand-tool for accomplishing the above and additional objects of the invention which will herein manifest themselves to those skilled in the art.

Other objects of the invention include those of providing such a simple and cheaply constructed hand-tool for use by the shoe industry as to be within the purchasing power of all individuals and of all shops whereat shoes are manufactured, sold, and/or repaired.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention are to provide an easily operated, easily handled, rigidly constructed, and convenient sized hand-tool for accomplishing the above, and many additional objects now attainable so far as applicant is aware only in a considerably lesser degree with large sized and expensive shoe reshaping, reblocking and smoothing machines, which each require a considerable amount of space for installation and which cannot be used without a considerable amount of experience, and can be purchased only for a considerable outlay of money, so that even such machines of the prior art are not within the purchasing power of the average individual or small repair or sales shop.

Still other and ancillary objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent and at once suggest themselves to those skilled in the art to which the invention is directed by reading the following specification and claims in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein Fig. 1 illustrates a bottom view of a hand-tool constructed according to this invention;

Fig. 2 illustrates a sideview to show particularly the construction of the gripping device and the general formation of the modified form of last serving to accomplish the aims and objects of this invention; and

Fig. 3 is a partial perspective view of the last portion of the device to indicate the general shaping thereof.

Referring now to the drawing for an understanding of one form which the device may assume according` to this invention, the hand-tool is formed from a main last portion I having a flat bottom surface 3, one end of which terminates in a toe portion 5 and the other end of which terminates in a heel portion l. The heel portion 'I where it joins the sole or bottom member 3 of the last I is bent upwardly, as shown particularly by Fig. 2. The general shaping of the last element l conforms, in part, to the last upon which shoes are fabricated, although it should be understood that whereas the average shoe varies in. size, i. e., in length, between size #4 and size #8, for example, the size of the last element l' of this device would conform more closely to the last size upon which a size #l shoe would be built.

The configuration of the general form of the last is such that it comprises a planar base or bottom surface 3 with a doubly reversed curved upper surface (see particularly Fig. 3). Thus, the last I is so formed that the portion 9 thereof toward the toe 5 is of convex curvature and that portion II thereof toward the heel l is of concave curvature, or, in other words, the device is so formed that if the major axis is considered as extending from the toe portion 5 to the heel portion I, the various cross-sections of the device perpendicular to the major axis are formed as truncated ellipses (being truncated by virtue of the flat sole or base portion 3) of progressively varying size with the direction of increase in length of the major and minor axes being in the direction from toe to heel which results in the profile of the upper surface appearing as a doubly reversed curve.

The toe portion 5 of the device I is squared off, as at I5, so as to provide a flat bearing surface. While one suitable angle for the flat face I5 is shown it is, of course, obvious that the angle of the plane of the face I5 relative to the bottom or sole member may be varied, for example, rotated clockwise up to 45 from that position shown. Extending outwardly from the forward end of the main sole or planar surface 3 which is slightly curved upwardly at Il toward the toe element 5, there is arranged a forked end portion I9 forming an integral part of the last I. Into this forked end portion I9 there is positioned a flattened jaw member 2l which is pivotally supported from the forked portion and mounted for rotation about the pivot point 23 by means of some supporting and suitably anchored spindle or rod 25. The upper and inner end 2l of the jaw member is flattened and is adapted, when it is arcuately moved about the pivot point 23, to press over against the flattened surface I5 of the toe portion 5 of the last so as to grip securely any object which may be placed in the recess 29 between the gripping member 2| and the flattened surface I5 of the toe element 5.

The lower end 3i of the gripping member 2l which extends into the forked end portion I9 of the sole of the last has attached thereto at point 33 a slidablc lever 35 which is centrally positioned in a slot 3l extending longitudinally of the last so that when the lever 35 is moved in the direction of the arrow (shown particularly by Fig. 2) the jaw member 2l will close over against the flattened end portion I5 of the toe member of the last and grip securely objects positioned therebetween.

The upper or heel end portion 'I of the last I has extending therefrom, and preferably formed. integrally therewith, a tubular sleeve member 39 in which is supported a second tubular member 4I secured thereto by means of some suitable set screw i3 or the like. A handle member 45 for the device is mounted upon this second tubular member 4 I. In order to prevent the handle member from turning on the tubular member, there is also provided a locking means such as the set screw 4'1.

The handle member A5 is preferably spaced slightly from any support member intermediate the ends of a central tubular portion lI9 extending through the handle, This spacing provides ways and means to maintain the handle permanently cool, as will become clearly apparent. A collar member 5I surrounds the lowermost portion of the handle. This collar 5| is provided with a forked projection 53 on one side thereof. Into this forked projection 53 there is suitably secured and pivotally mounted a lever element 55 of the bell crank type having an extending end 5l which can be grasped by the operator holding the handle member l5 so as to be pressed inwardly toward the handle member 45 against the pressure of a spring 59 also secured to the collar member 5l. The lower end 6I of the bell crank lever 55 is suitably attached to the rod member and serves to press the rod or lever 35 downwardly through the slot 3l so as to close the jaw member 2l over against the flattened end portion l5 of the toe 5 to grip securely any material positioned therebetween, whenever the operator grips the upper end 5l of the lever 55 so as to press it against the handle 55.

Interiorly of the last I there is provided a hollowed section E53 into which there is positioned any suitable heating unit 65, such as one of the resistance type. In assembling the device, this heating unit 65 is positioned within the hollowed section 63 of the last I through the tubular sleeve member 39 prior to the time when the second tubular member 4I is attached to the last element I. Suitable connection wires 6l for the heater unit 55 lead through the tubular members 39 and 4I and through the handle portion 45 and then outwardly from the upper end of the handle to provide suitable ways and means by which the heating unit 65 may be connected with the usual electrical plug to connect to a power line (not shown).

Where desired, a suitable switch serving to regulate the degree of heating of the heater unit 65 within the last I may be provided on the upper end of the handle portion. A switch (not shown) of this type may be of such nature that more or less of the total resistance of the heater unit is connected in circuit with the power line, in accordance with selected positions of the switch, so that the heating, since the developed heat is a function of the square of the current flowing and the resistance embodied in the unit, may be varied within reasonable limits.

Frequently it is desirable that the device when in use shall be capable of being heated to temperatures of the order of 300 F., but in many instances it is desirable after continued usage to reduce the heat to some extent so. that with such a switching device it is desirable to provide several degrees of change in the connection of the resistance element to vary the heating within stepped ranges of approximately 50 F. between 200 F., for example, and the suggested maximum of 300Q F.

When the device is being used for the purposes above set forth in the objects ofthe invention, it should be appreciated that wherever it is desired to reshape a shoe, for example, the quarter portion of the shoe (or, in other words, that portion of the shoe extending between the heel and the instep), the shoe section is gripped between the inside portion of the jaw 2l and the flat surface I5 of the gripping end of the tool. When the last I is heated by means of the heating unit 65 within the'device, the handle 45 may be used as a sort of lever to bend the quarter portion of the shoe inwardly or outwardly and the leather, upon bein-g cooled when the heat and pressure is removed, will then retain the shape to which it has been distorted. Thus, it can readily be seen that where a shoe has stretched to a considerable extent along the side or quarter through the use of a tool of this type, the shoe can be reshaped or reblocked, so to speak, in a very simple manner so as again to fit snugly against the wearers foot.

Another use for the device which merits description, for example, arises in connection with the raising of the instep of the shoe. In this use of the device, the last I is positioned inside the shoe and the concave portion II of the last is pressed against the instep portion of the shoe (not shown). The lower end of the toe portion 5 then may be pressed against the inner sole of the shoe so as to form a fulcrum about which the entire device pvoted, using the handle as a lever. When the device is so used'the surface I I of the last I will bear against the shoe instep so as to raise it. However, in the case of large sized shoes, where the last portion I is too short to reach down into the inner sole of the shoe, the pressure against the instep portion of the shoe may be applied merely by pressing the concavely curved surface II against the instep and 4then by pulling the device against the shoe, the

instep is raised to the desired degree. For this operation, also, heat is used, as in the first illustrated example of use.

Still another use for the device is that which is known in the art as lifting the toe portion of the shoe. For this use of the device the jaw member 2I will be closed upon surface I5 in grasping the handle 45 without the inclusion of any material gripped thereby. The last I is then inserted inside the shoe so that the convexly curved portion 9 of the last I extends within the toe portion of the shoe; then, by using the handle member I5 as a lever and the lower rear portion E9 of the flat planar or sole 3 of the last I as a fulcrum, downward pressure applied to the handle member 45 may be applied, the unit being heated, to the toe portion of the shoe in order to elevate or raise the shoe toe to the desired degree. y

Still an additional use of the device and a further manner of operating the same is in connection with the ironing out of wrinkles inside of the shoe. For such use the last element I is also heated and the convexly curved surface 9 may be pressed from the inner side of the shoe toward the heel portion of the shoe, for example,

and by moving the surface over the wrinkled portions of the shoe and pressing rmly against the shoe, all wrinkles will be ironed out smoothly. `Wrinkles such as are frequently present are thus permanently removed. In this operation, as with those previously described, the shoe maintains its changed or newly pressed shape when once the heat and pressure are removed, since the leather of the shoe, like cloth or felt, for example, reacts to both heat and simultaneously applied pressure to maintain its new configuration or changed shaping.

Still many other advantages and uses for the device will, of course, be obvious, and while the mode of operating the device for a few limited uses has been suggested, it is, of course, apparent that the use is in no vsense restricted to those outlined. In fact, the device is such that it may find application in many other fields, and particularly all fields where leather, cloth and similar materials are to be formed or pressed into desired shapes.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A shaping device comprising a main body member, said bo-dy member having a sole section extending for a substantial portion of the length thereof, and an upper surface curved according to a path of the double curvature changing progressively from one of the convex to concave c'urvatures, a handle member attached to one end of the body member, a gripping member pivotally attached to the toe portion of said body member, and means adjacent the handle member for moving the gripping member toward and away from the body member.

v 2. A shaping device comprising a last element, said last element having its ends terminating in toe and heel portions with the major axis extending from the toe portion to the heel portion, the cross-sections of said last perpendicular to the major axis being formed as a series of truncated ellipses of progressively varying size with increases in size being in the direction of increase in length of the major and minor axes of the ellipses measured from the toe portion to the heel portion along the axes and such that increasing size variations are of such order to produce an upper surface whose profile has the ap-f pearance of a doubly reversed curve, a handle member connected with the heel portion of said device, a gripping jaw member pivotally mounted upon the toe portion of said device, link means connected with the handle for moving said jaw` 3.. A gripping device comprising a handle ele-iy ment, a substantially hollow interior, a last element secured to said handle, said last element having a planar base surface and a heel portion substantially tangent to the base member and extending toward the handle at an acute angle with respect to the plane of the base member, said last element also having an upper surface whose profile is a doubly reversed curve changing progressively from convex at the toe portion to concave at the heel portion, a heating unit positioned within the said hollowed last, a gripping toe pivotally mounted upon the toe portion of said last, a slidable link means connecting the handle and said gripping toe and adapted for arcuately moving said toe gripping toward the toe portion of said last, and means for normally maintaining said gripping toe in spaced relationship with respect to the toe of said last element.

4. A gripping device comprising a handle member, a last element attached to said handle, said last having a substantially hollow interior, and a substantially planar base surface terminating in a heel portion substantially tangent to the base member and extending toward the handle at an acute angle with respect to the plane of the base member, said last element also having an upper surface whose profile is a doubly reversed curve, a heating unit positioned within the said hollowed portion of the last, a forked member forming a portion of the toe of said last element, a gripping toe mounted in said forked member, and link means between the handle and said gripping toe for arcuately moving said gripping toe toward the toe portion of said last.

5. The device claimed in claim 4 comprising, in addition, resilient means for normally maintaining said gripping toe in open position with respect to the last element.

6. A gripping device comprising a last element having a planar base surface of general pearshaped periphery, the heel portion of said base being turned upwardly at substantially an acute angle with respect to the main plane of said surface, said planar base surface being provided with a forked toe portion, said last having an upper surface of substantially reversed curvature whose toe portion is of convex curvature and whose heel portion is of concave curvature, a gripping jaw pivotally mounted in the forked portion of said toe member and adjacent the toe portion of the said lupper surface, a handle member supported from the heel end of said last, link means connecting the handle member and said gripping toe for pivotally moving said gripping toe toward the toe of said last element, and resilient means for normally maintaining said toe in open position so as to form between the gripping toe and the toe portion of said last element a slot.

7. A gripping device comprising a last element having a planar base surface of general pearshaped periphery between the toe and heel portion thereof and bent upwardly at the heel portion at substantially an acute angle with respect to the plane of said base surface, said planar base surface being provided with a forked toe portion, said last having an upper surface contour of substantially reversed curvature whose toe portion is of convex curvature and whose heel portion is of concave curvature, a gripping jaw pivotally mounted in the forked portion of said toe member and adjacent the toe portion of the said last, a handle member supported from the heel end of said last, said last having a slot extending from the heel portion thereof through to the toe thereof at a point' adjacent the midpoint of said forked portion, a link means positioned within said slot for connecting the handle member and said gripping toe so as to move said gripping toe toward the toe of said last element where actuated, resilient means for normally maintaining said toe in open position so as to form between the gripping toe and the toe portion of said last element a slot, and a heating unit supported within said last.

8. A shaping tool comprising a partially hollow body member, said body member having a substantially at sole portion terminating at its forward end in a nose portion convexly curved upwardly, said body member having a flat rear portion extending upwardly at an acute angle to the plane of the sole portion, the meeting surfaces of said sole portion and said rear portion forming a fulcrum, and said body member also having an upper surface of convex 'curvature at its forward end merging into a concavely curved portion at its rear end so that the main body member presents a series of flat and curved outer surfaces, a handle member for said body member secured thereto at the rear portion of the body member, and a heating unit positioned within the hollow portion of said body member.

9. A shaping tool comprising a partially hollow body member, said body member having a substantially flat sole portion terminating at its forward end in a nose portion convexly curved upwardly, said body member having a flat rear portion extending upwardly at an acute angle to the plane of the sole portion, the meeting surfaces of said sole portion and said rear portion forming a fulcrum, said body member also having an upper surface of convex curvature at its forward end and merging into a concavely curved portion at its rear end so that the body member presents a series of flat and curved outer surfaces, a handle member for said body member secured thereto at the rear portion of the body member, and means for heating the body member from heat developed within the hollow portion of the said body member.

10. A shaping tool comprising a body member, said body member having a substantially iiat sole portion terminating at its forward end in a nose portion convexly curved upwardly, said body member having a fiat rear portion extending upwardly at an acute angle to the plane of the sole portion, the meeting surfaces of said sole portion and said rear portion forming a fulcrum, said body member also having an upper surface of convex curvature at its forward end merging into a concavely curved portion at its rear end so that the main body member presents a series of substantially fiat and curved outer surfaces, and a handle member for said body member secured thereto at the rear portion of the sai-d body member.

MAX YANOVER. 

